Shot retarding and obturating element.



MARK W. MARSDEN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SHOT RETABDING AND OIBTURATING ELEMENT.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARK W. MARSDEN, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shot Retarding and Obturating Elements, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is a material suitable for packing and obturating purposes, and as a defense or barrier for powder magazines, coast fortifications, &c., and as a shot-obstructing leak-stopping filler or core for the coiferdams or compartments of naval and other vessels. The cellulosic materials now in general use for some of these purposes are expensive both' as regards the raw material as well as the mode of treatment required to put the latter in condition to function; and they are short-lived in the sense that they are deleteriously affected by moisture so that they become molded and decayed in which state they are worthless for plugging and shot-retarding purposes.

Hence it is an object of my present invention to provide a material suitablefor packing, obturating or leak-stopping purposes,

-which shall be comparatively inexpensive,

naturally fire and water proof, highly compressible, yielding and resilient, and possessed of great absorptive power.

Another object is to provide a material of the character stated, specially qualified as a shot-retarding element, which .may not be fired by the friction of projectiles or the explosion of the bursting charge thereof, and which is not deleteriously affected by dampness or by dry rot.

In experimenting with different materials and combinations of materials I have discovered that mineral wool and asbestos when combined and in a state of compression, as hereinafter described, have all the advantages and lack the disadvantages of the cellulosic materials. 1

To practise the invention mineral-wool and asbestos are combined in the ratio of about 85 to. 80 per cent. of mineral wool to Specification of Letters Patent.

I Patented July 25, 1916.

Application filed No ember 6, 1915. Serial No. 60,054.

fibers is then condensed or subjected to considerable pressure, for example in a hydraulic press. For convenience in handling, the compressed mass in cube or other form may, if desired, be inclosed in a fire and water proof wrapper.

The described material is not deleteriously afiected by dampness or moisture, that is to say it Will not mold or rot, is immune to dry rot, and moreover it is absolutely fireproof. On the other hand so-called fire and waterproof leak stoppers of vegetable origin not only deteriorate and decay when attacked by the local dampness or moisture that sweats through the inclosing walls, say of a cofferdam, but are also susceptible of dry rot and spontaneous combustion, and are also fired by the friction of projectiles;

The obturating and shot-retarding material of my invention is naturally fireproof and is water resistent in the sense that it will not deteriorate and lose its absorptive ability when attacked by dampness. Furthermore, when .the inclosing Walls are ruptured, for example by reason of collision or by penetration of a projectile, the material swells rapidly when attacked'by the inrushing water,

bursting its wrapper if one be employed, and the long fiber of the asbestos operates to prevent the shorter staple of the mineral wool from washing away. Not only does this material form an admirable obturating ele-' ment, but it also, by reason of its density or high state of compression and consequent yielding and resilient qualities,'constitutes an efiicient shot-retarder, barrier or obstruction.

A cheaper if not quite as effective product is obtained by employing in admixture with the mineral wool and asbestos a fiber or cellulose of vegetable origin, for example that derived from bagasse. Of course in this case the bagasse or other additive would be fireand waterproofed before combining it with the natural ingredients.

Having described the nature and objects of the invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I claiin 1. A shot-retarding and obturating material possessed of marked yielding and resilient and absorptive properties, consisting of a compressed mass of mineral wool and asbestos intermixed or matted together.

2. A shot-retarding and obturating material possessed of marked yielding and resilicut and absorptive properties, consisting of mineral wool and less than forty per cent. as 10 a compressed mass of mineral wool, asbestos, bestos.

and a fiber of vegetable origin primarily In testimony whereof I aflix my signature fire and waterproofed, said elements being in presence of two Witnesses.

intimately commin led and matted together,

substantially as described. MARK MARSDEN 3. Material for the purposes stated, con- Witnesses:

sisting of a highly absorptive yielding and ALLAN I. HUGKINS,

resilient mat of more than fifty per cent. E. W. STRAIN. 

